RICK @ the RACES ( 2 to 9 May 2013)
England Trip
4 May Coventry Stadium, Warks
6 May Silverstone Circuit, Northants
Once again I’ve taken time out in early May, and before my local season gets under way for a trip to England to see my family and racing friends.
It started on Thursday May 2 with a 10.30pm flight out of Ottawa. I was there a lot earlier than that so I could watch the first game of the Sens V Habs NHL Play Off’s on the airport TV’s. It was a good start for the Sens with a convincing win.
I arrived at London Heathrow mid morning on Friday and was met my old buddy Colin Herridge. After stopping off for a pub lunch at the Travellers Rest in Eddlesborough,
we were at my Mum’s place in Toddington by 1-30 pm. My daughter, Carla and five month old Grandson Benji had already flown in to England from their home in Florida, a week earlier and were waiting for me on my arrival.
On Saturday night we’d planned to attend the BriSCA F1 races at the Coventry Stadium , which would be Benji’s first ever stock car race. When Carla was a baby , she was taken to her first ever race at about the same age. Now, 30 years later, it was the turn of her son. She’d rented a large Peugeot for us all to get around in, and had offered to be my chauffeur for the duration of this trip.
We were joined on the short trip up the M1 by Colin and Kim Herridge.One of my goals for Coventry, was to get a photo of Benji and Carla beside the Paul Harrison # 2 car.
Back in 1983, I’d taken a pic of her and her mother Pat, besides the Willie Harrison ( Paul’s dad) # 2 car and thought it would be a nice idea to do it again. 
Paul was very obliging and before heading up to the front stretch bar, ( our base for the night) we got the picture I wanted.
For the heat races my good friend Colin Casserley once again arranged for me to take action shots on the exit of turn two.
As usual when I re-visit Coventry there were plenty of old friends ( too many to mention personally) to chat with and it always makes a great night.
Final winner that night was Craig Finnikin # 55.Michael Scriven # 12 was second and Matt Newsome # 16 was third.
I had no other plans for racing on this trip, as the emphasis was on family time.
On Sunday we had a get together at the Mulberry Bush in Dunstable for a carvery lunch.
It was the May Day Holiday weekend and on Monday we took a drive up to Maidford, Northants to see the house where Carla lived for the first two years of her life. We struck it lucky, as after 30 years, our neighbours, the Bodily family were still living next door, and sitting in their garden enjoying the sunshine.
Connie, Eddie and sons David and Mickey were all there, and it was great chatting about old times in the sunshine.
The small village of Maidford, just happens to be located, just a ten minute drive from Silverstone, home of the world famous racing circuit.
I couldn’t resist being this near once again, without taking a look. On arrival I stood on a banking out side the of the track and could see there was some kind of endurance racing taking place.
After watching a few laps and getting some pictures we continued on our afternoon drive.
On Tuesday it was time for Carla, Benji and me to return to North America, so we all set off early in the morning from Mum’s place in the direction of Heathrow. We dropped the rental car off at AVIS and they shuttled us all to Terminal Three where both our flights were leaving. Carla and Benji were heading back to Miami, while I was destined for Ottawa.
I arrived back in Ottawa at 6-15, in good time to clear customs and get into my car before game four of the Sens V Habs NHL playoff’s came on the radio. I missed games two and three, which took place while I was in England ( where the Sen’s lost one and won one) but was able to listen to this one and then see it on my own TV once I’d got back home to Cornwall. This was a really exciting game as the Sen’s crawled back to tie after being 2-0 deficit in the late stages of period three, and forcing overtime. It didn’t take in the extra time for them long to get the winning goal.
Bringing things right up to date, with the Sens three games to one, up on the Habs , Thursday May 9 was game five, and it could be all sewn up. They didn’t disappoint me, and pounded the Habs with a 6 to 1 Victory and through to the next round.